Earls Ruled Out Of Summer Tour

Keith Earls has been ruled out of the Ireland squad for the summer tour to New Zealand and Australia. Earls has been suffering from a persistent groin injury and following his participation in the training camp in Limerick this week, it has been decided that he will not tour.

Connacht's Gavin Duffy, who was been named in the Ireland team for Friday's game against the Barbarians at Thomond Park, will now travel with the squad to New Zealand in place of the injured Keith Earls.

Earls joins Paul O'Connell, Rory Best and Kevin McLaughlin on the list of players who have been forced to withdraw from the tour squad.